Explore Christchurch and Canterbury, our amazing backyard

Christchurch and Canterbury have plenty to offer those planning business events, including several brand new hotels and unique venues. Come and see for yourself the creativity and vibrancy of our wonderful small city, which Lonely Planet has singled out as one of the top 10 places in the world to visit.

Destination Christchurch

Get ready for a warm welcome in Christchurch.

Our city is a lively hub for the arts, entertainment and hospitality. Applauded for its creative and clever thinking, Christchurch has a thriving arts scene and a fast-growing reputation as a foodie haven.

Easy arrival

Christchurch is centrally located on the eastern side of New Zealand’s South Island and is the international and domestic hub for all major travel routes around the South Island.

Christchurch International Airport is just 10 kilometres or 15 minutes’ drive from central Christchurch. Regular taxi and shuttle services run between the airport and the central city, and hire car options are available in the terminal.

Regular flights connect Christchurch to 15 regional destinations around New Zealand. Direct international flights arrive into Christchurch International Airport from Singapore, China, Australia, Fiji and Rarotonga, connecting directly with destinations throughout Asia, Europe, USA, South America and the Middle East.

Foodie buzz

Christchurch buzzes day and night with great food, cool bars, and an eclectic café culture. The city has over 900 cafes, restaurants and bars serving tastes of everything from ethnic shared plates and tapas to fine dining focusing on top local produce, all complemented by exceptional local wines and craft beers.

South Island on your doorstep

As the gateway to the surrounding Canterbury region some of the South Island’s most iconic landscapes and experiences are right on the city’s doorstep.

Here you will find a huge variety of locations for meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition groups of all sizes, and a vast range of activities, attractions and unique venues – all within easy reach of Christchurch International Airport.

Just one to three hours’ drive from the city take your pick of exhilarating or relaxing pre and post touring experiences:

Ski or snowboard at one of the 13 ski fields in Canterbury during winter. Mt Hutt, the largest ski field in the region, is 20 minutes’ drive from Methven or 90 minutes’ drive from Christchurch.

Unwind in natural hot pools in the alpine village of Hanmer Springs, 90 minutes north of Christchurch. Hike and mountain bike on the nearby forest trails or play golf at the beautiful Hanmer Springs Golf Club.

Get up close with dolphins or seals, or do some whale watching off Kaikoura’s amazing coast, two and half hours north of Christchurch.

Relax in the French-inspired seaside settlement of Akaroa, southeast of Christchurch. Experience swimming with the world’s smallest dolphin, the Hector’s dolphin.

Explore New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki Mount Cook, and the lakeside township of Tekapo, three hours south of Christchurch. Get up close and personal with the Tasman Glacier, or go star gazing in the world’s largest International Dark Sky Reserve.

City of seasons

Christchurch and Canterbury’s vistas change dramatically to reflect its four distinct seasons. Long warm days are the norm in summer which starts in December, while from March, autumn brings vibrant colour to the city’s tree-lined streets. Winter starts in June with crisp clear days and stunning mountain-scapes, then acres of beautiful blossoms cover the avenues and parks to herald spring from September.